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Prince Harry and Meghan begin tour of drought-stricken Dubbo Prince Harry and Meghan begin tour of drought-stricken Dubbo
(about 2 hours later)
Prince Harry and Meghan have arrived in Dubbo, where they have been greeted by local officials – and a bunch of schoolchildren who jumped up and down as their plane landed. The duke and duchess of Sussex have spent Wednesday touring the drought-stricken city of Dubbo – where they have been greeted by enthusiastic locals and a heavy downpour.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew into the central western city on Wednesday morning, where the drought is biting hard – though showers are forecast for the day of the royal visit. A big cheer went up when the couple arrived at Dubbo’s Victoria Park on Wednesday for a community event.
The royal couple, who headed straight for the park after visiting a drought-affected farm, quickly got involved in checking out the activities.
Heavy rain hit the park about 15 minutes after Harry and Meghan arrived. But an umbrella went up quickly and the locals stayed to try to meet them.
Distance education teacher Jan Duncan, “born and bred” in Dubbo, applied for a day of leave on the day she heard they were coming.
“Oh it’s fantastic and this is the third time I’ve seen a royal,” she said. “We saw the Queen in ‘92, saw Charles in Parkes and now we’re here. My mum too came here in ‘54 to see the Queen.”
She was with her friend Ruth Serhan, who drove up from Newcastle to be there.
“It’s the best thing to advertise Dubbo; it’s a wonderful city to live and a wonderful city to visit.”
The weather was drier when the duke and duchess flew into the central western city on Wednesday morning.
The couple were greeted by the New South Wales police minister and member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, and the mayor, Ben Shields.The couple were greeted by the New South Wales police minister and member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, and the mayor, Ben Shields.
Then, holding hands, the couple walked across to the children from each of the region’s schools and spent several minutes chatting with them. They were both casually dressed for the visit – Harry in pants and a shirt, Meghan in black skinny pants, an untucked white shirt and checked blazer.Then, holding hands, the couple walked across to the children from each of the region’s schools and spent several minutes chatting with them. They were both casually dressed for the visit – Harry in pants and a shirt, Meghan in black skinny pants, an untucked white shirt and checked blazer.
Waiting patiently at the end of a line of excited children who had gathered at the airport to meet the couple, Luke Vincent from Buninyong Public school greeted Harry with a huge bear hug before reaching out his hand to pull on his beard. Waiting patiently at the end of a line of excited children who had gathered at the airport to meet the couple, Luke Vincent from Buninyong public school greeted Harry with a huge bear hug before reaching out his hand to pull on his beard.
Luke then handed the Duchess of Sussex a bouquet of flowers, before throwing his arms around her as well. Luke then handed the duchess of Sussex a bouquet of flowers, before throwing his arms around her as well.
Their first official engagement in Dubbo was at the dedication of a new plane for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.Their first official engagement in Dubbo was at the dedication of a new plane for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
When three-year-old Keiley Storer handed shyly over a posy of gerberas and daisies, Meghan said “would you like one back?” and returned a white flower.When three-year-old Keiley Storer handed shyly over a posy of gerberas and daisies, Meghan said “would you like one back?” and returned a white flower.
Keiley was one of three country patients meeting the royal couple whose lives were saved after they were flown in from outlying properties and bush towns by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).Keiley was one of three country patients meeting the royal couple whose lives were saved after they were flown in from outlying properties and bush towns by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
They were among a crowd of around a hundred patients, staff and RFDS volunteers gathered inside the service’s airport hangar.They were among a crowd of around a hundred patients, staff and RFDS volunteers gathered inside the service’s airport hangar.
Courtney Sheil, 15, was on her cousin’s sheep station outside Tilpa, 700km northwest of Dubbo when she fell off her motorbike and hit her head .Courtney Sheil, 15, was on her cousin’s sheep station outside Tilpa, 700km northwest of Dubbo when she fell off her motorbike and hit her head .
Courtney said when she told Meghan about her resulting head injuries, the Duchess replied, “That must have been very scary”.Courtney said when she told Meghan about her resulting head injuries, the Duchess replied, “That must have been very scary”.
“(Meghan and Harry) were really glad I was okay,” Courtney said later, saying the couple was “very nice and inviting. “[Meghan and Harry] were really glad I was OK,” Courtney said later, saying the couple was “very nice and inviting”.
“They were amazing people and she was even more stunning in person.”“They were amazing people and she was even more stunning in person.”
The Duke and Duchess also met Afghanistan war hero Marcus Wilson, an Australian Army veteran who is also competing in the Invictus Games sailing competition. The duke and duchess also met Afghanistan war hero Marcus Wilson, an Australian army veteran who is also competing in the Invictus Games sailing competition.
Wilson, who won a bravery award pulling wounded out of a helicopter crash, said Harry was “excited” about the coming games.Wilson, who won a bravery award pulling wounded out of a helicopter crash, said Harry was “excited” about the coming games.
The couple are also due to meet residents for a community picnic at a park in the regional city.The couple are also due to meet residents for a community picnic at a park in the regional city.
Despite most of the area being in the middle of one of the worst droughts NSW has seen, rain is forecast for most of Wednesday.
The couple enjoyed good weather on Tuesday at the start of their 16-day trip, visiting Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Opera House.The couple enjoyed good weather on Tuesday at the start of their 16-day trip, visiting Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Opera House.
The Dubbo stop is part of a jam-packed schedule of 76 engagements across 16 days with the royals visiting Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland’s Fraser Island as well as Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.The Dubbo stop is part of a jam-packed schedule of 76 engagements across 16 days with the royals visiting Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland’s Fraser Island as well as Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.
MonarchyMonarchy
Prince HarryPrince Harry
New South WalesNew South Wales
Duchess of SussexDuchess of Sussex
Rural AustraliaRural Australia
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